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• Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,

  Preventing Violent Extremism in The Gambia: Addressing Vulnerabilities and Strengthening Resilience 02/12/2025

  Summary :

  This policy brief examines why The Gambia, despite being ranked among Africa’s safest countries, remains vulnerable to violent extremism. Regional ins...

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  Country : Burkina Faso , Gambia , Mauritania , Niger , Senegal , Guinea-Bissau

  Organizations : WATHI
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Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,
Preventing Violent Extremism in The Gambia: Addressing Vulnerabilities and Strengthening Resilience 02/12/2025
Summary :
This policy brief examines why The Gambia, despite being ranked among Africa’s safest countries, remains vulnerable to violent extremism. Regional insecurity—especially Mali’s crisis, Sahelian instability, and porous borders—creates significant exposure risks. Internal vulnerabilities amplify these threats: growing religious radicalization within some madrasa systems, the influence of reformist preachers, rising sectarian tensions, and severe youth unemployment. The brief stresses the need for a multisectoral approach combining security reform, stronger governance, regulation of religious education, community mediation, youth engagement, and empowerment of women and local leaders. Efforts led by the Gambian government, ECOWAS, civil society, and youth organizations—such as security sector reform, counterterrorism strategies, peace education initiatives, and the Youth, Peace and Security Action Plan—highlight progress. However, coordination remains weak, institutions operate in silos, and rural communities face structural marginalization and limited state presence, which heighten their vulnerability to radicalization and extremist narratives. Strengthening resilience requires sustained, integrated, and community-centered interventions.
Keywords :
Governance, Security, Youth, Extremism, Vulnerability, Violence, Radicalisation
Organizations :
WATHI
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• Academic analysis and Think Tank / Security and human rights,

  A Folkloric Coup d’État in Guinea-Bissau and the Ongoing Turmoil in West Africa 08/12/2025

  Summary :

  The article “A Folkloric Coup d’État in Guinea-Bissau and the Ongoing Turmoil in West Africa” reports on a coup d’état that occurred shortly after the...

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  Country : Guinea-Bissau

  Organizations : WATHI
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Academic analysis and Think Tank / Security and human rights,
A Folkloric Coup d’État in Guinea-Bissau and the Ongoing Turmoil in West Africa 08/12/2025
Summary :
The article “A Folkloric Coup d’État in Guinea-Bissau and the Ongoing Turmoil in West Africa” reports on a coup d’état that occurred shortly after the November 23, 2025 presidential election in Guinea-Bissau — a vote conducted with calm but carrying significant hope for the country’s 2.2 million inhabitants. Despite the election, the provisional results were delayed, and a group of military officers close to former president Umaro Sissoco Embaló seized power, forming a military junta called the “High Military Command.” General Denis Ncanha announced the takeover, and General Horta N’Tam was appointed head of a one-year transitional government. The article questions the true nature of the coup — some describe it as a “folkloric coup,” possibly orchestrated by Embaló himself to prevent the victory of another candidate backed by the historic party PAIGC. The author warns of renewed political instability, as seen in other West African states, and the risk of widespread “turmoil” if such maneuvers become common.
Keywords :
Politics, Governance, Security, Coup d'État
Organizations :
WATHI
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• Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance, Security and human rights,

  Can Guinea eradicate coups d’état from its political culture? 30/01/2026

  Summary :

  The article “Can Guinea eradicate coups d’état from its political culture?”, written by David Zounmenou for the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), ...

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  Country : Guinea

  Organizations : WATHI
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Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance, Security and human rights,
Can Guinea eradicate coups d’état from its political culture? 30/01/2026
Summary :
The article “Can Guinea eradicate coups d’état from its political culture?”, written by David Zounmenou for the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), examines the structural drivers behind Guinea’s September 5, 2021 military coup and the country’s long-standing pattern of unconstitutional power seizures. The overthrow of President Alpha Condé followed his highly contested third term, made possible by constitutional manipulation, and occurred amid widespread political repression, poor governance, and entrenched impunity. The author argues that the lack of accountability undermines democratic consolidation and creates fertile ground for repeated military intervention. By placing the 2021 coup in Guinea’s historical trajectory—marked by successive military regimes since independence—the article highlights the fragility of both political and security institutions. More broadly, it challenges the notion that coups reflect a failure of democracy itself, instead pointing to governance deficits and abuse of power. To end coups as a political norm, the article calls for ending impunity, strengthening constitutional order, and firmer action by the African Union and regional bodies.
Keywords :
Culture, Politics, Governance, Security, Coup d'État
Organizations :
WATHI
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• Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance, Security and human rights,

  The Effectiveness of Defense and Security Forces in the Sahel and West Africa 17/11/2025

  Summary :

  The article examines the effectiveness of defense and security forces in the Sahel and West Africa amid the rise of terrorist groups. Since the 1990s,...

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  Country : Burkina Faso , Mali , Mauritania , Niger , Benin , Ivory Coste , Togo

  Organizations : WATHI
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Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance, Security and human rights,
The Effectiveness of Defense and Security Forces in the Sahel and West Africa 17/11/2025
Summary :
The article examines the effectiveness of defense and security forces in the Sahel and West Africa amid the rise of terrorist groups. Since the 1990s, structural weaknesses—poor equipment, limited training, and lack of modernization—have undermined national armies’ ability to confront asymmetric threats. Armed groups exploit these vulnerabilities, relying on insurgent and guerrilla tactics that outperform conventional military approaches. The document highlights varied national situations: the fragility of Mali and Burkina Faso, the relative preparedness of Niger, and Mauritania’s successful military reforms. It also emphasizes the shortcomings of foreign operations and the operational limitations of the G5 Sahel Joint Force. The article recommends strengthening military capacities, adopting counter-insurgency doctrines, enhancing cooperation with local communities, improving regional coordination, and investing in intelligence and surveillance.
Keywords :
Governance, Security, Terrorism, Coopération régionale
Organizations :
WATHI
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